T.R new leader of DAN-III

After being unanimously chosen as the new leader of the NPF/ DAN legislature party, Minister of Planning and Coordination, Evaluation, Geology & Mining, T.R. Zeliang will formally take over as chief minister of DAN-III government , when incumbent Neiphiu Rio formally vacates the chair after being elected to the 16th Lok Sabha. T.R. Zeliang’s name was proposed by Kejong Chang, parliamentary secretary of jail, HG, VG and DB/GBs while minister of forest Y.Patton seconded the proposal. After all members of DAN raised hands in approval, the house then adopted the resolution declaring T.R. Zeliang as the new leader of DAN legislature.
The meeting at the State Banquet Hall Saturday morning, was attended by NPF and DAN partners BJP and JD (U) including NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie and party workers. Post-poll alliance partners NCP and independents present also reaffirmed unstinted support and cooperation to T.R Zeliang’s leadership.
In his acceptance speech, T.R. Zeliang expressed gratitude to current chief minister Neiphiu Rio, NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie, party leaders and DAN legislators for the smooth transition of leadership and for the trust and confidence reposed on him. He lauded Rio for being a great and charismatic leader, a visionary and an inspiration for DAN including people. He said Rio is admired and regarded even by political opponents.
T.R. Zeliang also congratulated chief minister Rio on his landslide win at the recently concluded Lok Sabha election and assured him of full support in his endeavor at the Centre. “ We will carry forward the legacy and vision you left to us for the welfare of the people”, T.R. said. He also thanked PHED minister Noke Wangnao for his magnanimous gesture and approach towards resolving the leadership issue. He described Noke as a man who worked silently but delivered strongly and who strived hard to uplift the people of the backward region.
 Chief minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated T.R. Zeliang on being chosen as the next man to lead DAN and extended his best wishes. He and also reminded T.R. of many unfinished tasks ahead. In an emotional moment, Rio sought forgiveness from the legislators if he had offended anyone in the past. He also thanked them for having reposed trust in him.
Rio admitted that due to communication gap, some misunderstanding had developed within the party during the recent weeks, but all that was in the past. He urged for unity among DAN partners for the smooth functioning of the  government.